The air crackled with tension as the last round of tests began. The once orderly field, where recruits had displayed their willpower and resilience, now morphed into an arena of raw combat. The final test was simple, combat. Every participant had been given a number, and the pairings were set. Four rounds, sixteen competitors. Only the strongest would proceed to the final stage, and the last two remaining would be given the rare opportunity to join as inner disciples.
Wu Tianjue stood silently in his designated spot, his expression unchanged. Around him, the remaining recruits fidgeted nervously, sizing up their opponents. They were powerful in their own right, each of them having passed the previous tests. But Wu Tianjue wasn't concerned. He didn't need the elements to win this. He had no intention of showing his true strength, just yet.
The elder who had overseen the previous trials stepped forward, his voice booming across the arena. "The final test will be straightforward. You will fight your assigned opponent. Only the victor moves on to the next round. The four final combatants will be tested further. As for the final two, you will be given the opportunity to become inner disciples of the School of Talent."
The recruits shuffled into their positions, eyes filled with both determination and fear. There were no second chances. Those who failed would be sent away, their dreams dashed.
The first round began.
Wu Tianjue's opponent was a tall, broad-shouldered man whose muscles bulged beneath his robes. He wore a sneer, clearly confident in his abilities. The crowd around them murmured in anticipation as the fight began.
But Wu Tianjue had no intention of playing games. The man charged forward, trying to land a powerful strike, but Wu Tianjue was already gone, his movements so swift they were a blur. In the blink of an eye, Wu Tianjue had closed the distance between them, his hand shooting out to grip the man's wrist, twisting it with an almost casual precision.
The man let out a pained grunt, trying to break free, but Wu Tianjue's grip was like iron. With a swift twist, Wu Tianjue sent his opponent crashing to the ground, face-first into the dirt. The crowd fell silent as the man groaned, unable to continue the fight.
Wu Tianjue stood over him, his face cold and unreadable. He didn't need to use any elemental energy. There was no need for flashy displays of power. His brute strength alone was enough to overwhelm his opponent.
The elder overseeing the test nodded approvingly, his expression revealing no surprise. "Wu Tianjue wins," he called out, his voice carrying across the field.
The next few rounds passed in much the same way. Wu Tianjue breezed through each opponent with ease, never once showing the full extent of his power. His movements were calm, controlled, and precise. With each victory, the number of competitors dwindled. Soon, only eight remained.
As the rounds continued, the other recruits began to grow nervous. Some struggled to keep up with Wu Tianjue's overwhelming speed and strength. Others tried to use tactics or elemental abilities, but none could even touch him. One by one, they were defeated.
By the time the fourth round ended, only four combatants were left standing. Wu Tianjue, of course, was one of them. His impassive demeanor never wavered as he sized up his remaining opponents. Yan Junhao, the older brother of Yan Zhiming, stood across from him. His calm eyes locked with Wu Tianjue's, but there was something unspoken between them, something more than just the competition for a spot as an inner disciple.
The final duel was set.
Wu Tianjue and Yan Junhao. The two strongest competitors, the ones who had passed every trial with ease, stood poised to face each other in the final battle.
The tension in the air was thick. The crowd surrounding the arena had grown silent, all eyes on the two contenders. Yan Junhao, despite his earlier struggle in the will test, had proven his strength through the previous rounds. But Wu Tianjue... his victory had been effortless.
Both men stood at the center of the arena, waiting for the signal to begin.
Wu Tianjue's eyes were as cold as ever, but beneath the surface, a sense of anticipation simmered. This fight was different from the others. This was a battle not just for victory, but for something more, an opportunity to step closer to the ultimate goal.
The elder raised his hand, signaling the start of the final duel.
The ground beneath them seemed to tremble as the two combatants prepared for their clash. The audience held its breath.
Wu Tianjue's expression didn't change, but his muscles coiled, ready for the fight. Yan Junhao, standing tall, his posture dignified, didn't seem to be in a rush. His calmness was almost unnerving.
For a moment, the two simply stared at each other, the weight of their silent exchange hanging heavy in the air. The next move would decide everything.
And with that, the battle began.